officer is expected to be okay but the investigation is just beginning. >> just this afternoon our cameras were outside suspect edward archer's home on pine street in west philadelphia. authorities were searching that home for any kind of evidence. they have not yet said what they found. we have live team coverage tonight. jeff cole is looking into the suspected shooter's background. sabina kuriakose is getting reaction from local officials in the muslim community. but we start with bruce gordon with the very latest on this investigation. bruce? >> reporter: chris, police say edward archer has admitted firing at police officer jesse hartnett. and he explains at least briefly why did he it. but it's that why that has law enforcement officials both state, local and federal probing a possible connection to islamic terrorism. >> all cars stand by. we have an officer shot. >> reporter: the gunman 30-year-old edward archer comes out of nowhere firing a 9-millimeter semi-automatic hasn't gun at officer jesse

hartnett's squad car at 60th and spruce. archer fires the last of a dozen or so shots from point blank range the weapon literally and side the car. >> that is chilling. absolutely chilling when you watch that. and if that doesn't just make the hairs on your neck just raise when you see that, it's scary. >> reporter: hartnett is hit three times in the left arm but as the gunman retreats he gives chase. firing out and wounding archer who's captured moments later. police officials say archer later confessed to the ambush and he gave a chilling reason. >> he stated he pledges his allegiance to islamic state he follows allah and that is the reason he was called upon to do this. >> according to him he believed that the police defend laws that are contrary to the teaching of the occur rhawn. >> reporter: authorities search add pair of addresses linked to archer on friday. including one in delaware county and another in west philadelphia. archery leased from the hospital into police custody has not revealed whether he belongs to

isis or simply supports their cause. >> i think that was part of his savviness, if you will, in stopping just short of implicating anyone else. >> reporter: 33-year-old officer hartnett a five year veteran of the philadelphia force remains hospitalized with what are described as very serious injuries to his left a arm. mayor kenney says the city will provide the officer and his family with whatever they need. >> our officers every single day are willing to do what officer heart nets has done to put themselves between us and the bad guys. >> reporter: as if this story weren't chilling enough, it turns out the 9-millimeter semi-automatic used in this ambush was reported stolen little over two years ago from the home of a philadelphia police officer. no indication twos whether the shooter in this case had any connection to that theft. dawn? >> unbelievable. thank you bruce. we're learning much more tonight about the accused shooter and his past. jeff cole did some digging to phone out more about edward

archer and jeff, you found out he has a criminal past. >> he certainly does. he's a criminal past that suddenly grown far more serious chris. edward archer had sentencing in delco monday and more trouble in philadelphia later this month. it's safe to say that edward archer will not appear in media monday where he was scheduled to face a judge touring. he had been hit with charges of forgery, fraud and driving while suspend the but new alleged offenses of trying toned the life of a cop in philly will keep him occupied. >> he just started firing with one aim and one aim only to kill him. >> reporter: his mother has told the philadelphia inquirer her son devout muslim had been acting strange of late talking to himself, hearing voices, laughing and mumbling. she said he believed he was being targeted by police. court records show along with sense tensing monday in media he was to face a parole violation hearing later in january in philadelphia.

court records show archer was accused of a number of serious crimes including carrying a firearm without a license, aggravate the assault and terroristic threats in 2012 in the city. he pleaded guilty to carrying that firearm with without a permit in 2015 and was to be locked up but was paroled due to time he'd already spent behind bars. he always received probation for simple assault. police say archer emerges again thursday night carrying a gun an grudge to kill officer jesse hartnett. >> just came out of nowhere and started firing on him. i mean he just came out of nowhere, started really and literally traversing towards that patrol car. i don't even know when hartnett first noticed him. >> reporter: now, again along think sentencing in delco archer faced hearing for parole violation in philadelphia the following week. once lived with his mom in yeadon delaware county but court records show that has has been foreclosed on. fbi is taking a look at archer's

overseas travel to troubled sections of the world but apparently none of that travel, chris, occurred very recently. >> all right, jeff, thanks. local leaders are condemning the shooting suspect after he claims he carried out the attack in the name of islam. sabina kuriakose working this side of the story live tonight for us at a mosque in west philadelphia. >> reporter: chris, right now we are outside of the mosque. it's been in the community for about 43 years here. the iman tells me that the mosque has worked closely with local police within the community they've never had any issues. tonight, leaders here believe it is likely that suspect edward archer attend prayers here. iman does not recognize his name or his face. instead, they base that on the proximity of the mosque to the scene where police 11 archer ambushed officer jesse hartnett as he sat inside his marked police cruiser just about three block away from here. we're also two blocks from where

archer may have lived at 60th and pine. with that in mind, iman rasheed says he's speaking out about archer's alleged actions. any statements archer allegedly made about the shooting being tied to islam have no nothing to do with the mosque. >> we felt the need to speak o out, because anyone who would get the miss concept that there are animosity going on between the muslims and the philadelphia police, we need to do that as public safety statement. people who don't attend the mosque need to know that there's nothing going on between the mosque and the philadelphia police. >> reporter: now political leaders from mayor jim kenney to senator could be casey have spoken out say his alleged actions are criminal and not reflective of any religion. others including congressman mike fitzpatrick and meehan say reports the suspect may have claimed allegiance to isis are troubling.

back here least at the mosque where evening prayers just wrapped up a short time ago the iman tells me he has told his members to be safe and to stay vigilant as the facts in this case continue to emerge. chris, back to you. >> all right, sabina, thanks. of course this is developing story. our coverage continues on fox29.com. keep checking that home page. that's where we'll post the very latest information. a tragic story tonight out of the city's fair hill neighborhood. an early morning fire claiming the lives of young pregnant mother and her two-year-old little boy. it happened just before 4:00 o'clock this morning along the 2800 block of fourth street. the mother, the family identifies aisles women perez made it out of the home but we're told she ran back and side to try to rescue her little boy. they both were overcome by smoke. family members tell us the boy died in his mother's arms as the two tried to escape. >> how she passed away hugging him it's just something you don't want to see.

you don't. it's sad. it's a sad day for us. >> for whatever reason they didn't have smoke alarms. they had issues with their heat. they had portable heaters but they didn't use the portable heaters in save manner. >> heartbreaking. firefighters were out on that block today handing out smoke detectors. the red cross is helping the six others displaced by that deadly fire. the mild temperatures continue but there are changes ahead in your fox 29 winter weather authority. let's go to the poconos now. the big bear they've been making snow up there but soon i guess we could see some of the real stuff. let's check in with chief meteorologist scott williams. >> yeah. that's right, chris. we have a brief shot of some sleet, some snow overnight tonight early tomorrow morning in the pocono mountains but then it's just rain as we move into the second part of the weekend. also look at this. we'll be chasing 60 degrees for a part of the weekend but don't get used to the warmup because an arctic blast is ahead in that seven day forecast. in fact even chances for snow in the philadelphia area. but right now ultimate doppler

here's moisture associated with the warm front off to the west. take a look at the purple highlighted counties. carbon, monroe also northampton county winter weather advisories posted for that moisture moving in tonight. more on the timing of that rain and the seven day forecast with that chance of snow coming up. thank you, scott. the contractor hired to demolish the center city building that collapsed killing six people will be in jail for the next 15 to 30 years. a judge handing down that sentence today. the collapse happened back in 2013 right at the corner of 22nd and market. the judge says that griffin campbell was criminally wreck less when tearing down that property. according to prosecutors the 51-year-old dangerously cut corners during the demolition. sean benschop who was operating heavy equipment on site that day has already been sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years in prison. all new tonight at 6:00 a controversy continues over what many are calling racist, home foe phobic and trance foe become

ick displays at the philadelphia mummers parade. that group says if you're offend it's your problem. a special bond at a local animal shelter that no one was expecting much rescue pitbulls and kittens form a new family. why these guys really need each other. >> sean? >> chris it's wild card weekend and the eagles will be forced to watch their rivals the washington redskins take on the green bay packers. we'll have a full preview later in sports. ok, so the government crashed-tested the f-150. the one with the high-strength military-grade, aluminum-alloy body bolted to a high-strength steel frame. and guess what? it made the strongest statement any truck can make. it pulled a 5-star safety rating...

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♪ story that will really make you smile on this friday evening. these three blind cats at a shelter in wilmington delaware forming a very special bond with some rescue pitbulls. pictures are going viral. volunteer from faithful friends took the little kitties fostering them at her home. she wasn't sure what the cats -- wet the cats would get along with two pitbulls but take a look. the foster mom says the pups have taken on a parent roll protecting these little kitties who are blind. look at that picture.

if you're interested in adopting any of these guys, you can go to our website fox29.com. the mummers parade fell out of favor with some after this year's exit featured what some deemed racist and offensive to the lgbt community. the question is should the parade be censored? one group who focuses on diversity says no. >> fox 29's bill anderson shows us why the aclu says the parade needs to be left alone. ♪ >> reporter: it's been a week since the mummers generated controversy with some groups performing in black and brown face and mocking indicate license jenner. since then, some have suggested that the city will require the mummers to get approval for their exits in the future but this week the aclu pushed back say cracking down on the mum% would be a violation of their first amendment rights. >> well, what the city can't do is treat the mummers differently depending on what they're going to say in their parade the

government can't control a first amendment parade. >> reporter: an attorney has been a mummer himself for over 30 years and he told me although the first amendment argument may be true it misses the point. >> this isn't about the first amendment as we see it as mummers. we want to make this better parade. we have the righting to burn a flag but nobody will burn a flag either. it's not about our first amendment rights. the about making this a more inclusive parade. >> reporter: it's worth noting the city and the mummers were actually meeting when i showed up to get comments. the city told me that first amendment rights are about whether or not we legally can do something. this particular fight is about whether or not we shall. >> maybe some of this is within the right of an individual based on their first amendment rights. it doesn't mean that it's not hurtful. report roar the city does have some influence over the mummers and all parades but everyone i spoke to said this isn't really about a legal fight. >> it's looking at these thing recognizing that wow you legally are allowed to it, it's not what

we stand for, not a we want to happen. >> we are all very different but there's one thing that we do love here in philadelphia and it's the first day of the year, and getting off on right foot. >> reporter: everyone i spoke to wanted to reinforce that there is no anniversary sal relationship here all working together because they want these negative situations to stop. they want to make sure that the future of the mum% is positive and the history is untarnish. in the newsroom, i'm bill anderson fox 29 news. back to your fox 29 weather authority now. no sunshine real daal. pretty mil i noticed a lot of pe want snow, scott. >> we have a shot at though in the seven day forecast. believe it or not, 60s in the offing for the upcomin up come d despite clouds and heavy rain for part of the weekend but look at the temperatures right now. it's comfortably cool, 43 degrees. winds out of the northeast making it feel a little cooler but hour by hour, temperatures will hold pretty steady because

of the clouds this evening if you're stepping outdoors. it should remain dry by 9:00 o'clock 42 degrees. 41 a couple of sprinkles late and perhaps some wintry precipitation for the pocono mountains. but take look as we move toward next week, we'll have another blast of some arctic air that jet stream is going to dip to the south. so some of that cold air from canada will move in our direction. it could link up with some moisture bite middle of next week. but look at temperatures rebounding for the up coming weekend. 10 degrees above average for your saturday. flirting with records going about 22 degrees above average for sunday. and then you can see by early next week those temperatures drop off. so as we look at ultimate doppler we have the clouds displayed as well. you can see some sprinkles, some wintry precip toward the central part of the state. and also these counties highlighted in purple. we'll zoom in closer. carbon, munroe, toward northampton counties wint weather advisory has been posted there for a little light glaze

late tonight and early tomorrow morning. due to a shallow layer of colder air. you have to look all the way to the west moving out of the four corners area into sections of oklahoma and texas. that's the storm system that will bring us the very heavy rain even gusty winds overnight saturday into sunday. so tomorrow morning, 6am you can see light precipitation far north and west. that could be in the frozen form once you move toward sections of the pocono mountains. but waking up in the philadelphia area low 40s a lot of cloud cover. high temperatures tomorrow right around 50 degrees once again tomorrow is mainly cloudy and dry. but look at what happens. 5:00 a.m. sunday look at the very heavy slug of moisture moving in. 7:00 a.m. we're socked in with heavy rain gusty winds. temperatures will be climbing despite the rain due to winds out of the south. look at a a a.m. sunday still looking at very heavy rain maybe even a rumble of thunder with this system. so the main timing is overnight

saturday into the first part of the day sunday for that very heavy rain. but behind that system, look at temperatures on monday. we're going to drop into the 30s for high temperatures so really roller coaster ride ahead. let's spell it out once again tonight that light wintry mick in the pocono mountains. but look at saturday it's cloudy a little bit of drizzle the main event 4am to 10:00 a.m. on sunday with that very heavy rain and gusty winds. the weather authority seven day forecast shows the roller coaster temperatures, 62 on sunday. and look at monday. only 36 degrees. we want some snow in philadelphia? there's a chance. the middle of next week 35 degrees for the high temperature, a clipper will be moving through. it could link up with that moisture and provide some snow. >> i wanting to skiing. >> i think a lot of people do. >> sean bell eagles getting ready to start the playoffs. >> not so much. >> they'll be sitting home and unfortunately, well, they'll be watching everything from the couch while their old coach

operates against houston. an read getting the chiefs ready for their playoff run. hear from him and jeremy maclin next in sports. ♪

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♪ the eagles still looking forehead coach still looking for a general manager. john gruden isn't interested so the interviews continue. you never want to look back but

the eagles are sure missing their ex. andy reid has the chiefs in the playoffs with the hottest streak in the league. jeremy maclin coming off another 1,000-yard season. so the eagles are home getting ready for the super bowl run he starts against houston. >> we understand that this is playoff football. intensity goes up a notch. everything goes up a notch. so we'll be ready. we'll be ready for the challenge. >> you got to prepare yourself. it's a good football team we're playing, and you're in the playoffs. it is single elimination and you got to mack sure your game's at the highest point. the best it can possibly be that day. >> for most part treat it like a normal game. >> there is some added emotion. there's added energy. there's added excitement, and you need to harbor that and use it the right way and channel it to use it for positive and don't let it overwhelm you. >> and who would have thought the only team that has a stable coaching situation in the nfc east is washington. the team everyone picked to finish last in the division is now on top and actually has

legit shot at beating a shaky green bay team. the packers just don't look like themselves any more. at least not this year, so washington can certainly within a game at home behind a kirk cousins that has secretly become one of the best qb's in the league both teams getting ready for tomorrow's big matchup. >> everybody has got to do their part for us to win the game. everybody has to do their job and not worry about anybody else or what they're doing. we just got to continue to focus on what we do as the washington redskins and market about us and we'll be fine. >> we're going to washington to win. i mean we're in the playoffs so we're fully aware of what people may be, you know, think about us. that frankly was the message today. we're focused playing our opponent you get one opportunity even want our football team focused on the washington redskins. >> wild card weekend on fox begins on sunday coverage washington green bay game starts at 4:00 p.m. the game should start at 4:40.

if you want to know what chip kelly is doing he had an interview with san francisco. that's the only one to date that we know of. and this is going to be a long process for the eagles at least another two weeks because all the big guys the guy from chicago and all the other guys had want to look at the giants job. look at the other big-time jobs eagles job is low in a lot of top coaches prospects. they'll look at other jobs when those domino's fall then somebody will eventually come available for the eagles. >> they're not knocking down chip kelly's door, are they. >> they're not. only one interview so far. >> all right. thank you. >> be sure to join us for fox 29 news at 10:00. the suspect accused of shooting a philadelphia police officer says he did it in the name of islam. how the muslim community is reacting to this news at 10:00. >> that will do it for us here at 6:00 o'clock. >> we will see you back here at 10:00 o'clock. have a great night. inside edition is up next.

ok, so the government crashed-tested the f-150. the one with the high-strength military-grade, aluminum-alloy body bolted to a high-strength steel frame. and guess what? it made the strongest statement any truck can make. it pulled a 5-star safety rating... on all sides... for every cab configuration. 'cuz when they say military-grade, they mean: "battle tested." this is the ford f-150. and every other truck is history.

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>> the plot to kidnap the president's dogs. bo and sunny obama. what the suspect's wife is telling "inside edition." >> he's not thinking clearly. >> the secrets to winning the historic $800 million jackpot. >> people who rely on luck are fooling themselves. and the shocking moment as a wanna be terrorist tried to assassinate a cop. >> i'm bleeding heavily. plus. >> get him out of here. no coat for you. >> don't give him his coat. >> trump throws a protester into the freezing cold without a coat. >> confiscate his coat. it's 10 degrees below zero outside. remember this little guy?